EPILEPSY WARNING PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE BEFORE PLAYING THIS GAME OR BEFORE ALLOWING YOUR CHILDREN TO PLAY. Certain individuals may experience epileptic seizures or loss of consciousness when subjected to strong, flashing lights for long periods of time. Such individuals may therefore experience a seizure while operating computer or video games. This can also affect individuals who have no prior medical record of epilepsy or have never previously experienced a seizure. If you or any family member has ever experienced epilepsy symptoms (seizures or loss of consciousness) after exposure to flashing lights, please consult your doctor before playing this game. Parental guidance is always suggested when children are using a computer and video games. Should you or your child experience dizziness, poor eyesight, eye or muscle twitching, loss of consciousness, feelings of disorientation or any type of involuntary movements or cramps while playing this game, turn it off immediately and consult your doctor before playing again. PRECAUTIONS DURING USE: - Do not sit too close to the monitor. Sit as far as comfortably possible. - Use as small a monitor as possible. - Do not play when tired or short on sleep. - Take care that there is sufficient lighting in the room. - Be sure to take a break of 10-15 minutes every hour. © 2009 Matrix Publishing, LLC. and Ntronium Games. All Rights Reserved. Matrix Publishing, LLC. and Matrix Publishing, LLC. logo are trademarks of Matrix Publishing, LLC. and Armada 2526™ is a trademark of Matrix Publishing, LLC. and Ntronium Games. All other trademarks and trade names are the properties of their respective owners and Matrix Publishing, LLC. and Ntronium Games make no claim thereto. X-COM FANS REJOICE! Year 2023: The planet Esperanza has been colonized by the spaceship Magelhaes. A squad was brought together by the Esperanza government to defend the planet from any Deep Space threats. Year 2025: Esperanza’s aircraft and spacecraft have come under attack form alien ships and machines. Combine global strategy with small squad based tactical combat against the alien invasion. Repelling the alien invasion requires taking full advantage of the terrain and surrounding environments. Control a squad of soldiers, light and heavy support combat vehicles, robots and air units to repel the alien invasion. * Advanced artificial intelligence * Destructible environment - Can’t get into a building? Use a heavy weapon to make your own entrance * Weapon and technology advancement accomplished by global research and base building * Hire and allocate scientists for various research projects * Examine aliens, developer better weapons, armor, grenades, medikits, stimpacks, cannons, vehicles (tanks hovercrafts), energy shields and air/space craft * Allocate resources for the development of new defenses * Prepare and equip your team and base to handle the various alien threats and incursions * Build hangars, medical sections, detection systems, labs, workshops, stores and SAM sites CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION TO ARMADA 2526 .................................................................. 7 1.1. System Requirements ....................................................................................... 7 1.1.1. Minimum ........................................................................................................... 7 1.1.2. Recommended ................................................................................................... 7 1.2. Installation ........................................................................................................ 7 1.3. Uninstalling the game ........................................................................................ 7 1.4. Product updates ................................................................................................ 8 1.5. Game forums .................................................................................................... 9 1.6. Need help? ........................................................................................................ 9 1.7. Welcome to Armada 2526! ............................................................................... 9 1.8. How to Win ...................................................................................................... 10 2. MAIN MENU .................................................................................................... 10 2.1. New Game ...................................................................................................... 10 2.1.1. Custom Game .................................................................................................. 10 2.1.2. Tutorial............................................................................................................. 11 2.1.3. Load Game ...................................................................................................... 11 2.1.4. Options ............................................................................................................ 11 2.1.5. Quit ................................................................................................................. 12 3. TURN-BASED STRATEGIC MODE ................................................................... 13 3.1. Star Map ......................................................................................................... 13 3.1.1. Interface Overview ............................................................................................ 13 3.1.2. Minimap .......................................................................................................... 15 3.1.3. List Viewer ....................................................................................................... 16 3.1.4. View Colonies ................................................................................................... 16 3.1.5. View Fleets ...................................................................................................... 17 3.1.6. View Messages ................................................................................................ 18 3.1.7. Advisor ............................................................................................................ 18 3.1.8. Hotkeys ............................................................................................................ 19 3.2. Moving Fleets, Expanding, and Attacking ......................................................... 20 3.2.1. Moving Fleets ................................................................................................... 20 3.2.2. Move Limits ..................................................................................................... 21 3.2.3. Wormholes ....................................................................................................... 22 3.2.4. Founding Colonies ............................................................................................ 22 3.2.5. Attacking and Conquering Enemy Colonies ......................................................... 23 3.3. Colony Management ....................................................................................... 25 3.3.1. Interface Overview ............................................................................................ 25 3.3.2. Structures and Production ................................................................................. 29 3.3.3. Defences ......................................................................................................... 30 3.3.4. Auto Manage.................................................................................................... 31 3.4. Reports ........................................................................................................... 32 3.4.1. Player Summary ............................................................................................... 32 3.4.2. Charts .............................................................................................................. 33 5 3.4.3. Finance ............................................................................................................ 34 3.5. Diplomacy ....................................................................................................... 34 3.5.1. Diplomacy Overview Screen .............................................................................. 35 3.5.2. Negotiation Screen ........................................................................................... 36 3.6. Technology ...................................................................................................... 38 3.6.1. Research ......................................................................................................... 38 4. REAL TIME BATTLE MODE ............................................................................. 40 4.1. Interface Overview ......................................................................................... 41 4.2. Space Combat ................................................................................................. 42 4.2.1. Formations ....................................................................................................... 42 4.2.2. Retreating ........................................................................................................ 44 4.3. Ground Combat ............................................................................................... 44 4.4. Hotkey ............................................................................................................